MANILA – The Commission on Audit (COA) is not yet done in flagging Solicitor General Jose Calida as it now slammed him over unused information and communication technology (ICT) equipment in 2017.
Based on the annual audit report of COA, Calida wasted around P18 million worth of network switch cabinets delivered February last year.
“Twenty-eight of the 39 network cabinets have not yet been installed and were still covered in plastic. Thus, the purpose for which project was conceptualized is still not achieved,” COA said.
The Office of the Solicitor General purchased the network switch cabinets as part of its P20-million ICT program to improve the security of the local area network and install more connections.
“The network cabinets were not used for their intended purpose as they are being used as a rack for office supplies and some were placed outside of their divisions,” COA added. “Thus (these were) exposed to deterioration. Some were already hanging from the ceiling due to defective racks while others are place or kept on the floors.”
The COA has also blamed Calida’s “poor planning and mismanagement” for the wasted resources, which should be operational now if procured together with the cabinets.
COA has recently flagged down Calida for getting P7.5 million excessive allowances last year./PN
